Swift Current Broncos
Encyclopedia
The Swift Current Broncos are a junior ice hockey
team in the Western Hockey League
. Founded during 1967 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan
, the Broncos played seven seasons before relocating to Lethbridge
from 1974 to 1986 as the Lethbridge Broncos
. The Broncos returned to Swift Current, and played there since 1986, at the Credit Union iPlex.
, but moved to Lethbridge in 1974. The team had been losing money in tiny Swift Current and the new Lethbridge Sportsplex was beckoning for a team. The Broncos played in Lethbridge for twelve seasons, winning the President's Cup
in 1982–83. In the mid 1980's, the team came up for sale, and despite a large and loyal fanbase in Lethbridge, the Broncos were bought by local interests in Swift Current and moved back to their original home. The Lethbridge Hurricanes
moved in to replace the Broncos in southern Alberta.
The team won its only Memorial Cup
championship two years later at the 1989 Memorial Cup
. In the 1993 Memorial Cup
, the Broncos were eliminated in a tie-breaker. Afterwards, the team's only head coach Graham James resigned to coach the Calgary Hitmen
, but three seasons later, allegations arose that he sexually abused former player Sheldon Kennedy
during their days together with the Broncos. James was convicted of sexual offenses and sentenced to three years in prison.
The Broncos play their home games at the Credit Union iPlex.
) were killed. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=swiftcurrent Their jersey numbers were retired by the team afterwards, and the team still wears a commemorative patch in remembrance of the four players. The rest of the team, led by future NHL star Joe Sakic
, who recorded 60 goals, played out the season despite the loss. In a move to memorialise the fallen players, the WHL now awards the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy
to the league's Player of the Year.
Retired numbers:
The Swift Current Broncos have retired the jersey numbers of the four players who died in the aforementioned 1986 team bus accident.
Junior ice hockey
Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
team in the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
. Founded during 1967 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
, the Broncos played seven seasons before relocating to Lethbridge
Lethbridge
Lethbridge is a city in the province of Alberta, Canada, and the largest city in southern Alberta. It is Alberta's fourth-largest city by population after Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer, and the third-largest by area after Calgary and Edmonton. The nearby Canadian Rockies contribute to the city's...
from 1974 to 1986 as the Lethbridge Broncos
Lethbridge Broncos
The Lethbridge Broncos were a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League from 1974 until 1986. They played at the Lethbridge Sportsplex.-Season-by-season record:...
. The Broncos returned to Swift Current, and played there since 1986, at the Credit Union iPlex.
History
The Broncos started out as the Swift Current Broncos in Swift Current, SaskatchewanSaskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
, but moved to Lethbridge in 1974. The team had been losing money in tiny Swift Current and the new Lethbridge Sportsplex was beckoning for a team. The Broncos played in Lethbridge for twelve seasons, winning the President's Cup
President's Cup (WHL)
The Ed Chynoweth Cup is an ice hockey club championship trophy awarded to the playoff champion of the Western Hockey League . Originally called the President's Cup when the league was founded in 1966, the trophy was renamed in 2007 to honour Ed Chynoweth's long service to junior hockey in Canada...
in 1982–83. In the mid 1980's, the team came up for sale, and despite a large and loyal fanbase in Lethbridge, the Broncos were bought by local interests in Swift Current and moved back to their original home. The Lethbridge Hurricanes
Lethbridge Hurricanes
The Lethbridge Hurricanes are a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Conference of the Western Hockey League in Lethbridge, Alberta. They play their home games at the ENMAX Centre.-History:...
moved in to replace the Broncos in southern Alberta.
The team won its only Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
championship two years later at the 1989 Memorial Cup
1989 Memorial Cup
The 1989 Memorial Cup occurred May 6-13 at the brand new Saskatchewan Place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Participating teams were the Western Hockey League champion Swift Current Broncos, the WHL hosts, the Saskatoon Blades, as well as the winners of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and...
. In the 1993 Memorial Cup
1993 Memorial Cup
The 1993 Memorial Cup took place 15 - 23 May 1993, at the Sault Memorial Gardens in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.Participating teams were:* The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds ;* The Laval Titan ;...
, the Broncos were eliminated in a tie-breaker. Afterwards, the team's only head coach Graham James resigned to coach the Calgary Hitmen
Calgary Hitmen
The Calgary Hitmen are a major junior ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Hitmen play in the Central Division of the Western Hockey League . They play their home games at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Bret "The Hitman" Hart, a local-born professional wrestler, was a founding owner...
, but three seasons later, allegations arose that he sexually abused former player Sheldon Kennedy
Sheldon Kennedy
Sheldon Kennedy is a former professional ice hockey player. He played for the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames in the National Hockey League . Kennedy was drafted by the Red Wings in the fourth round of the 1988 NHL Entry Draft while playing with the Swift Current Broncos of...
during their days together with the Broncos. James was convicted of sexual offenses and sentenced to three years in prison.
The Broncos play their home games at the Credit Union iPlex.
1986 Team Bus Crash
On December 30, 1986, the Broncos' bus crashed on the way to a game in Regina. Four players: Trent Kresse, Scott Kruger, Chris Mantyka and Brent Ruff (younger brother of then-player and current Sabre coach Lindy RuffLindy Ruff
Lindy Cameron Ruff is the head coach of the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League. Ruff played in the NHL for the Sabres and New York Rangers as a left winger/defenceman. Currently, he is the longest-tenured head coach in the NHL.-Playing career:Ruff was chosen in the second round, 32nd...
) were killed. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=swiftcurrent Their jersey numbers were retired by the team afterwards, and the team still wears a commemorative patch in remembrance of the four players. The rest of the team, led by future NHL star Joe Sakic
Joe Sakic
Joseph Steven "Joe" Sakic is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player and current hockey executive. He played his entire National Hockey League career with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise. In his 20-year tenure, Sakic won the Stanley Cup twice, captured numerous NHL...
, who recorded 60 goals, played out the season despite the loss. In a move to memorialise the fallen players, the WHL now awards the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy
Four Broncos Memorial Trophy
The Four Broncos Memorial Trophy is awarded each year to the Western Hockey League's Player of the Year.The trophy is named in honour of four members of the Swift Current Broncos who were killed on December 30, 1986 in the Swift Current Broncos bus crash, an accident that occurred when the team bus...
to the league's Player of the Year.
First Broncos (1967–74)
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals againstSeason | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Points | Finish | Playoffs |
1967–68 | 60 | 16 | 38 | 6 | 242 | 343 | 38 | 9th Overall | Out of playoffs |
1968–69 | 60 | 14 | 44 | 2 | 186 | 329 | 30 | 4th West | Lost quarter-final |
1969–70 | 60 | 27 | 31 | 2 | 240 | 265 | 56 | 3rd West | Lost quarter-final |
1970–71 | 66 | 24 | 40 | 2 | 229 | 290 | 50 | 4th West | Lost quarter-final |
1971–72 | 68 | 25 | 42 | 1 | 242 | 311 | 51 | 5th East | Out of playoffs |
1972–73 | 68 | 27 | 35 | 6 | 300 | 359 | 60 | 5th East | Out of playoffs |
1973–74 | 68 | 35 | 24 | 9 | 240 | 306 | 79 | 3rd East | Lost semi-final |
Second Broncos (1986-present)
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals againstSeason | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Points | Finish | Playoffs |
1986–87 | 72 | 28 | 40 | 4 | - | 331 | 393 | 60 | 6th East | Lost East quarter-final |
1987–88 | 72 | 44 | 26 | 2 | - | 388 | 312 | 90 | 4th East | Lost East semi-final |
1988–89 | 72 | 55 | 16 | 1 | - | 447 | 319 | 111 | 1st East | Won championship President's Cup (WHL) The Ed Chynoweth Cup is an ice hockey club championship trophy awarded to the playoff champion of the Western Hockey League . Originally called the President's Cup when the league was founded in 1966, the trophy was renamed in 2007 to honour Ed Chynoweth's long service to junior hockey in Canada... and Memorial Cup Memorial Cup The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major... |
1989–90 | 72 | 29 | 39 | 4 | - | 323 | 351 | 62 | 6th East | Lost in first round |
1990–91 | 72 | 40 | 29 | 3 | - | 369 | 351 | 83 | 3rd East | Lost in first round |
1991–92 | 72 | 35 | 33 | 4 | - | 296 | 313 | 74 | 5th East | Lost East semi-final |
1992–93 | 72 | 49 | 21 | 2 | - | 384 | 267 | 100 | 1st East | Won championship President's Cup (WHL) The Ed Chynoweth Cup is an ice hockey club championship trophy awarded to the playoff champion of the Western Hockey League . Originally called the President's Cup when the league was founded in 1966, the trophy was renamed in 2007 to honour Ed Chynoweth's long service to junior hockey in Canada... |
1993–94 | 72 | 35 | 33 | 4 | - | 284 | 258 | 74 | 4th East | Lost East semi-final |
1994–95 | 72 | 31 | 34 | 7 | - | 274 | 284 | 69 | 6th East | Lost in first round |
1995–96 | 72 | 36 | 31 | 5 | - | 285 | 271 | 77 | 1st Central | Lost in first round |
1996–97 | 72 | 44 | 23 | 5 | - | 336 | 243 | 93 | 2nd East | Lost Eastern Conference semi-final |
1997–98 | 72 | 44 | 19 | 9 | - | 276 | 220 | 97 | 2nd East | Lost Eastern Conference semi-final |
1998–99 | 72 | 34 | 32 | 6 | - | 232 | 211 | 74 | 4th East | Lost Eastern Conference quarter-final |
1999–2000 | 72 | 47 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 257 | 170 | 101 | 1st East | Lost Eastern Conference semi-final |
2000–01 | 72 | 43 | 20 | 7 | 2 | 275 | 215 | 95 | 1st East | Lost Eastern Conference final |
2001–02 | 72 | 42 | 17 | 6 | 7 | 274 | 218 | 97 | 2nd Central | Lost Eastern Conference semi-final |
2002–03 | 72 | 38 | 24 | 7 | 3 | 240 | 215 | 86 | 2nd Central | Lost Eastern Conference quarter-final |
2003–04 | 72 | 36 | 29 | 7 | 0 | 234 | 209 | 79 | 4th Central | Lost Eastern Conference quarter-final |
2004–05 | 72 | 22 | 41 | 6 | 3 | 135 | 218 | 53 | 5th Central | Out of playoffs |
Season | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | GF | GA | Finish | Playoffs |
2005–06 | 72 | 24 | 34 | 6 | 8 | 175 | 242 | 62 | 4th Central | Lost Eastern Conference quarter-final |
2006–07 | 72 | 33 | 36 | 1 | 2 | 199 | 241 | 69 | 3rd East | Lost Eastern Conference quarter-final |
2007–08 2007–08 WHL season The 2007–08 WHL season was the 42nd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 20, 2007, and ended on March 16, 2008. The WHL Playoffs began on March 21, 2008, and ended on May 7, 2008.... |
72 | 41 | 24 | 1 | 6 | 244 | 205 | 89 | 3rd East | Lost Eastern Conference semi-final |
2008–09 2008–09 WHL season The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The WHL Playoffs commenced on March 20, 2009, and the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took... |
72 | 42 | 28 | 1 | 1 | 258 | 220 | 86 | 3rd East | Lost Eastern Conference quarter-final |
2009–10 2009–10 WHL season The 2009–10 WHL season is the 44th season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 17, 2009 and ended on March 14, 2010... |
72 | 37 | 30 | 1 | 4 | 231 | 232 | 79 | 3rd East | Lost Eastern Conference quarter-final |
2010–11 2010–11 WHL season The 2010–11 WHL season is the 45th season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 24, 2010 and ended on March 20, 2011. The 2010 Subway Super Series, featuring Team WHL versus Team Russia, took place from November 17–18, 2010.... |
72 | 26 | 44 | 0 | 2 | 181 | 260 | 54 | 6th East | Out of playoffs |
Team records
Team records for a single season | ||
Statistic | Total | Season |
---|---|---|
Most points | 111 | 1988–89 |
Most wins | 55 | 1988–89 |
Most goals for | 447 | 1988–89 |
Least goals for | 135 | 2004–05 |
Least goals against | 170 | 1999–2000 |
Most goals against | 393 | 1986–87 |
Individual player records for a single season | |||
Statistic | Player | Total | Season |
---|---|---|---|
Most goals | Jason Krywulak Jason Krywulak Jason Krywulak is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey and roller hockey player.-Playing career:Krywulak played major junior in the Western Hockey League with the Medicine Hat Tigers and Swift Current Broncos, winning the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as player of the year in 1993... |
81 | 1992–93 |
Most assists | Terry Ruskowski Terry Ruskowski Terry W. "Rosco" Ruskowski is a former National Hockey League centre, who played for the Chicago Black Hawks, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Minnesota North Stars.... |
93 | 1973–74 |
Most points | Jason Krywulak Jason Krywulak Jason Krywulak is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey and roller hockey player.-Playing career:Krywulak played major junior in the Western Hockey League with the Medicine Hat Tigers and Swift Current Broncos, winning the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as player of the year in 1993... |
162 | 1992–93 |
Most points, rookie | Joe Sakic Joe Sakic Joseph Steven "Joe" Sakic is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player and current hockey executive. He played his entire National Hockey League career with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise. In his 20-year tenure, Sakic won the Stanley Cup twice, captured numerous NHL... |
133 | 1986–87 |
Most points, defenceman | Dan Lambert Dan Lambert Daniel Lambert is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played 29 games in the National Hockey League for the Quebec Nordiques.-External links:... |
102 | 1988–89 |
Best GAA (goalie) | Bryce Wandler | 2.06 | 1999–2000 |
Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played |
NHL alumni
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Retired numbers:
The Swift Current Broncos have retired the jersey numbers of the four players who died in the aforementioned 1986 team bus accident.
- 8 Scott Krueger
- 9 Brent Ruff
- 11 Chris Mantyka
- 22 Trent Kresse
Coaches
- Graham James 1986–87 to 1993–94
- Todd McLellanTodd McLellanTodd McLellan is a Canadian former ice hockey player and current head coach of the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League.- Playing career :...
1994–95 to 1999–2000 - Brad McEwen 2000–01 to 2002–03
- Randy SmithRandy Smith (ice hockey)Randy Smith is a former Canadian ice hockey player. He won a silver medal at the 1992 Winter Olympics. He would also play three games in the National Hockey League with the Minnesota North Stars. He played his final years of ice hockey in the United Kingdom for Peterborough Pirates and Cardiff...
2003–04 - Dean ChynowethDean ChynowethDean Chynoweth is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League for the New York Islanders and the Boston Bruins. Drafted 13th overall by the Islanders in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, Chynoweth played 241 regular season games in 10 NHL seasons, scoring 4 goals and...
2004–05 to 2008-09 - Mark LambMark LambMark W. Lamb is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is currently the head coach of the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League .-Playing career:...
2009-10 to present